Archives for September 2017

The day following the celebrations of nine nights of Navratri is popularly known in Hindu tradition by “Vijayadashami” or “Dussehra”. The day bears a great significance in Hindu culture as it is one of the most auspicious Muhurta from the 3-1/2 such Muhurta that are part of a Hindu calendar.

“Navratri“– is not just a ritual, in a deep sense it is the festival to celebrate and respect womanhood! In my point of view, none other than Goddess Durga metaphorize the strength & capabilities, a woman possesses.

The Navratri festivities have begun. In Hindu traditions, these nine days of festivities are marked with strict observance of fast that is said to develop virtues like self-discipline and forbearance. However, there is not one set of rules that define how these fasts must be observed. Some devotees abstain from food completely, while others abstain from consuming alcohol, non-veg food and consume only Satvic food and some others perform no food, no water fast (Nirjala vrat).

Food preferences evolve with time. Some likes and dislikes that we develop over the years stay with us while some change radically. To explain this with an example, I had a strong aversion for dairy products like Paneer and curd but over the years I have convinced my taste buds to come to terms with these products and now I have come to like them.

We visit restaurants few times a month for our lunches or dinners. It serves us in couple of different ways. While it does provides us with much needed break from the monotony of cooking on a daily basis, it also renders us with an opportunity to explore different cuisines at different places in the city.

Biryani a dish that supposedly originated as a princely dish and migrated from royal kitchens to commoner’s kitchen or a dish that is described in words of noted author of ‘Biryani’, Pratibha Karan, as God’s food is as enigmatic as any dish could be.

Dear readers, if you have a relaxed leisurely look through the ‘accompaniments’ section on this channel, you may find several exciting and different recipes that may stimulate your taste buds with chutneys and raitas.